WestJet Unveils 787 Dreamliner 'Spirit of Canada' to the World

WestJet recently unveiled its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner livery, logo and cabin interior including the airline's first-ever business class cabin. The reveal is part of WestJet's lead-up to the arrival of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in early 2019.

Details, including images, video and an immersive 360-degree experience of each cabin, are available on the WestJet Dreamliner Hub. A Facebook Live of the reveal event can also be seen here.

"The introduction of Boeing's 787-9 Dreamliner, a state-of-the-art aircraft, is the dawn of a new era for WestJet and the next step in our transformation to a global network airline," said Ed Sims, WestJet President and CEO. "The updated livery is modern and dynamic while the interior is world-class, distinctly Canadian and uniquely WestJet. Both reflect WestJet's transition from a regional airline in 1996 to a new era of connecting Canada with the world and bringing the world to Canada."

WestJet has firm orders of 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and options for another 10, all of which will feature the new livery, logo and interior.
THREE-CLASS CABIN
The WestJet Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner features a three-class cabin including business class seating, premium economy and economy seating. The design was created by PriestmanGoode, a design consultancy firm located in London, England, specializing in transportation and travel branding.

Drawing from Canadian themes, the cabin interior welcomes guests with a rich colour palette: a soothing alpine lake blue in Economy class; aurora‑inspired shades and tones in Premium Economy; and in Business Class, luxuriously rich earth tones inspired by the splendour of Canadian summers.

Louis Saint-Cyr, Vice-President Guest Experience, WestJe says, "Throughout the aircraft cabin, the interior design takes inspiration from iconic Canadian landscapes. Our guests' inflight comfort is enhanced by the uncompromising quality of the interior finish and custom details. Both WestJet and our guests are on their way to bigger things, but as only WestJet can, we will make the journey as enjoyable as the destination."

Business Class will feature touchscreen service and on-demand dining that allows the traveller to define exactly how they like to fly. When it's time to relax and fully unwind, lay-flat mattresses, bedding and turn-down service will offer WestJet guests the opportunity to enjoy a tranquil flight.

Premium Economy will offer comfort enhancements and service with an elevated guest experience. WestJet will also offer a premium menu, a self-serve social area, and more space to move and relax.

In Economy, guests will discover oversized, self-dimming windows, and leading-edge in-flight entertainment and connectivity with in-seat device charging.
AIRCRAFT LIVERY AND LOGO
The updated logo and livery was overseen by Ove Brand Design. Boeing and Teague, a Seattle-based design firm, implemented the design on the aircraft.

The font has been updated to Bliss, give the WestJet wordmark a more uniform and current style, while retaining the Maple Leaf symbol in a more contemporary and bold look. The logo also now uses a single colour to soften the regional emphasis on "west."

In addition to the updated stylized Maple Leaf on the aircraft tail, another nod to WestJet's heritage is in the form of the Canadian flag appearing at the front of the aircraft. The new livery will also marry both of Canada's official languages with, "The Spirit of Canada" appearing on one side of the aircraft and the French translation, "L'esprit du Canada" on the other, both extending across the middle of the aircraft fuselage.

Ben Rowan, Director PriestmanGoode and Design Lead states, "We set out to create a design tour of Canada on-board WestJet's new fleet of Boeing Dreamliners, taking inspiration from the country's stunning landscapes. From the luxurious, rich, earthy tones of the Canadian summer that has inspired Business Class, to the aurora inspired Premium Economy, and the fresh, invigorating tones of an Alpine lake in Economy, this new interior scheme will provide an enhanced and complete passenger experience that is uniquely WestJet. We believe this new in-cabin design will ensure WestJet can compete confidently in new markets."

The livery will gradually appear across WestJet's entire fleet as new aircraft are delivered in 2018 and as aircraft are repainted in their normal cycle. The Boeing 737 MAX-8 will be the first aircraft in the new livery appearing in June.

This summer, WestJet's growing fleet will operate an average of 777 daily flights to 90 destinations. The airline recently announced its first foray to the European mainland with daily direct flights between Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris starting May 31.